US needs to move Russia from constant adversary to partner at times – Tillerson

Washington should move from viewing Russia as a permanent adversary to a partner at times, Rex Tillerson, nominated to head the State Department under President-elect Donald Trump, said during a hearing of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

“Russia more than anything wants to establish its role in the global world order,” said Tillerson. “Russia is here, and Russia matters, and they are a force to be dealt with,” he added.

The nominee for State Department head also advocated a deterrent “stick” when asked about sanctions on Russia.

“In carrying out the State Department’s diplomacy we need a strong deterrent in our hand…it is useful to have a stick in your hand, whether you use it or not it is useful to have.”